10 Game-Changing Modern Recruiting Techniques To Try Out

The digital revolution has transformed recruitment. In the space of a decade, there’s been a move away from traditional job websites to an innovative world of new and exciting recruitment tools and techniques. But what are the game-changing recruiting techniques that’ll shape your hiring strategy in the future? Here’s an expert insight.

1. AI

When it comes to recruiting techniques, Artificial intelligence is already playing a huge role in the way businesses find new talent.

Its rise has been so meteoric it’s being reported in the world’s leading media publications. Forbes, for instance, ran an article in January titled How AI is Changing The Game For Recruiting. In this piece, it acknowledges recruitment is one of the toughest jobs modern businesses have. AI could alleviate a large proportion of the hard work.

Streamlining the process is essential. That’s one thing AI is exceptionally good at. But what type of tools are going to lead its charge? Here are few of the most powerful options:

Chatbots: Quickly access candidates, secure suitable candidates, and can direct them to the right role. They’re a reactive way of dealing with the mass of excellent talent—already powerful, they have the potential to save recruiters a lot of time.

Sentimentanalysis: Can be used to adjust job specs in the event of biased or off-putting language.

2. Virtual reality

VR is an exciting prospect. Some industries have VR headsets designed to engage with candidates to a greater extent than ever before.

Utilising VR shows your business is an innovator at the cutting edge of technology. It sends out positive messages, even if it’s timely and expensive to integrate into your recruitment strategy.

This post from LinkedIn highlights its innovative nature and potential to change recruitment forever.

Many brands are trying out distinctive experiences to shake up their hiring process—online store Jet, for instance, offers a VR demonstration of its business culture. Candidates can access this remotely from anywhere in the world to see what’s in store for them, should they choose to work there.

Expect a lot more of this in the decade to come—how could your business integrate it into your hiring strategy? The beauty of VR is it allows for unique interpretations for whichever industry you happen to be in.

VR is one of the recruiting techniques that could change recruitment forever.

3. The rise of passive candidates

An untapped source of potential candidates has been discovered! It’s the talented workers in roles who aren’t considering a career change.

Targeting them with tempting new possibilities—such as a higher wage and more responsibility—may be enough to gain their interest. The popularity of securing “passive” candidates has shot up in recent years, as it can help to target workers who aren’t jumping from role to role.

Or you could just outright snag a top talent tempted by what you have to offer, or at least place you on their radar for the years to come.

4. Video interviews

Whether a candidate lives 200 miles away or in another country entirely, the terribly archaic practice of dragging candidates in for interviews is coming to an end.

It’s a waste of time and money when we all have access to Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and various other forms of instantaneous communication.

It’s a time saver for all concerned—you can remove the less suitable candidates after a brief screening call and then bring in your top selection once you have one or two you’re really set on.

This is particularly useful if you have potential candidates abroad, who might not be too keen on getting a flight in for a first stage interview.

Video interviews can significantly increase your candidate pool.

5. Social media

This isn’t the most revelatory point to make but, yes, social media can be a great place to head to recruit.

Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, or professional networks such as LinkedIn, you can find all manner of professionals who are easy to get in touch with.

In terms of recruiting techniques, this one’s particularly effective for targeting millennials and generation Z, who tend to use social media more than generation X and above.

Social media can be a great source to find candidates.

6. Applicant Tracking Systems

On the rise with large and small businesses, the ATS has rapidly emerged as the leader in recruitment software. What are the benefits for businesses? Well, in summary:

Efficiency: Log all your hiring campaigns and candidate information all in one system.

Candidatedata: With talent adding their details to your system, you have ready access to a pool of workers for any similar roles in the future.

Candidateexperience: It’s easier on candidates as you can cater to new hiring expectations, such as mobile-based application environments.

Adminreduction: Again, do away with filing cabinets and streamline everything through one recruitment hub—no more excess of files lying about in your office!

An ATS can be very useful when it comes to talent acquisition.

7 – Open-ended job posts

Your standard job descriptions are also changing. Some recruiters are trying out new tactics, such as leaving off job titles. Others have even left off specific specifications.

The idea behind it is to encourage all concerned to hire people above skills. In the recent past, it’s been common to choose the candidate with the most experience, under the belief this must, surely, be the best option.

Yet experience doesn’t account for natural enthusiasm, nor whether an individual will naturally fit into your business culture or your existing team. If they’re a great fit for your office, training such an individual up over six months or longer can reap dividends in the long-term.

8 – New interview techniques

With new recruiting techniques come new interview techniques. LinkedIn has noted in its 2018 Global Recruiting Trends report that old interview questions need reviewing. No more “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and plenty more techniques to challenge the way candidates think.

FTSE 100 Talent Director Simon Armstrong revealed in May 2018 he asks candidates to sing during interviews. If they don’t, it’s interview overview.

While an extreme example a lot of workers, particularly more introspective ones, wouldn’t find appealing, there are other tactics available. Make the interview informal, for instance, at a café—over a coffee, get to know your candidate properly.

If you prefer Simon Armstrong’s approach, you could always ask them to perform a breakdance to conclude the interview.

9 – Job auditions

If you’re eager to test out a few of your top candidates for an important role, then a job audition will provide you with some extra insights.

It’s not ideal, given your candidate might be nervous or unhappy you don’t trust the professionalism indicated on their CV, but it can provide essential insights into how they go about their job.

To tempt candidates into taking the audition, you could pay them for their day at work, provide them with a free lunch, and ensure they’re mentored through the day by an experienced hand at your workplace.

10 – Glassdoor

Emerging on the recruitment scene is this job searching and, crucially, company reviewing platform. Yes, now former, or current, staff can review a business—naturally, this can lead to some disgruntled workers leaving you with a scathing 1/5 with private workings of your business you might not be overly proud of.

The site is becoming increasingly popular. It could become the go-to source for many younger workers looking for insightful details about what it’s like working for your business. Do they get paid for overtime? What’s the work/personal life balance like? Does the CEO like to throw things at staff if they make a mistake? All can now be revealed, so it’s a good time to iron out any lingering foibles in your businesses’ daily workings.

Author: Alastair Brown

Alastair Brown is the chief technical officer at BrightHR. The company is a leading HR and employment law specialist, with offices in Manchester city center. He’s responsible for leading innovate HR projects that help clients to streamline their day-to-day activities.